Rajinikanth clarifies his remark on BJP, says party is dangerous for opposition

CHENNAI: A day after stating that ‘if opposition thinks BJP is dangerous, it should be so,’ + actor Rajinikanth on Tuesday clarified that the ruling party is dangerous for the opposition. "Whether it is dangerous or not, it is for the people to decide," the actor told reporters in front of his Poes Garden residence here.

"The question asked to me yesterday, given the fact that all the opposition parties are ganging up against the BJP, was whether the BJP was a dangerous party, I said - if they think so, it should be so. BJP is dangerous for the opposition parties. I do not want to give my personal opinion on it," Rajinikanth said.

When pressed further on the subject, the actor responded differently. "If 10 people gang up against one, who is the strongest or mightiest," Rajinikanth countered.

However, he didn't specify whether he meant Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the BJP by his comment. His response though looked to convey that he meant about Modi as the strongest, more than the BJP.

"I am not fully into politics yet and I cannot give my personal opinion on this," the actor said. But he clarified that work on launching his political party was on and he had reiterated that several times.

Rajinikanth also sought to set the records straight on the seven convicts imprisoned in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, wherein again his Monday’s response had created some confusion.

"I am well aware of the seven convicts undergoing imprisonment in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. I even spoke to Perarivalan -- one of the seven convicts -- for 10 minutes when he came out on bail," said Rajinikanth.

"The question was about the Centre deciding on its own, without seeking President's opinion, on the Tamil Nadu government plea to release the seven convicts. I said, I am not aware if it. I am not an idiot not to be aware about the seven convicts. They have undergone imprisonment for 27 years. It's enough. They should be released on humanitarian grounds," he said.

As for the latest controversy over freebies, the actor said freebies could be given, especially since it benefitted the poor. "But, freebies should not be given with an eye just on the elections," he said.